Pioneer Courthouse Square

The Square is one of Portland's leading outdoor venues, hosting over 300 events each year that range from large-scale concerts to cultural festivals. The Square is a true symbol of Portland with its bricks symbolizing the people that make Portland such an extraordinary city.

The london 2012 Olympic Park

The focus of the London 2012 Games will be the Olympic Park in east London, which will house the new sport venues.
The Park is located in the Lower Lea Valley - an area of great untapped potential.
After the Games the area will be transformed into the largest urban park created in Europe for more than 150 years.
Building work began three months early with the start of construction of the Olympic Stadium in May 2008.

Stockley Park

Before

    After                                                                    

Stockley Park
• Formally a landfill site
• 450-acre site
• 100-acre business park
• 350-acre country park
• 21 business occupiers

Business

• GDP (Gross domestic product): US$1.1 trillion (2006).
• Main imports: Machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, semi-finished goods and food.
• Main exports: Machinery, motor vehicles, food, pharmaceuticals and medicines.
• Main trade partners: France, Germany, Italy, UK and Portugal.


Economy
The economy was subdued until Spain joined the (then) European Community in 1986, since when it has expanded rapidly. Spain achieved high growth through the 1980s and 1990s, largely due to an expanding service sector which now accounts for most economic output. Spain joined the European Monetary Union at the start of 1999 and the eurozone in 2002. The Spanish economy has slowed somewhat since 2000, and although unemployment has fallen, it remained high at 8.1% in 2006. The annual GDP growth in 2006 was 3.9% while inflation was estimated at 3.5%.

Today, Madrid remains Spain's financial and political core, home to the Cortes (Parliament), Senate and Royal Family, as well as the extraordinary cultural riches of the Golden Triangle - the Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza art museums.

With a population of just over three million, Madrid is Europe's third largest city (after London and Berlin) and its highest capital, at 650m (2,132ft) above sea level.

Spaniards are determined to vivir a tope (live life to the full). The craving for conspicuous enjoyment, not to mention the 2,800 hours of annual sunshine, turn the streets into bustling centres of public display.

Madrid's infectious and colourful fiestas punctuate the year, with each barrio (district) trying to outdo the other in its celebrations. The highlights include Reyes Magos (Feast of the Three Kings), Carnival, the religious processions of Holy Week, the San Isidro Festival in May (the beginning of the bullfighting season) and Nochevieja (New Year's Eve)

Each barrio has its own distinctive atmosphere - Lavapiés, Malasaña and Chueca being the oldest and most interesting.

http://www.worldtravelguide.net/city/73/city_guide/Europe/Madrid.html

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